• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.226-233
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• 2011

Objectives: Being overweight or obese is central to metabolic syndrome, and these characteristics constitute dominant risk factors for chronic diseases. Although behavioral factors, including eating habits and sedentary lifestyles, are considered to be determinants of obesity, the specific childhood factors that contribute to this condition have not been clearly defined. Methods: The subjects consisted of 261 children aged 7- 9 years who were recruited from an elementary school during October 2003. Information was obtained from their parents using a questionnaire focused on eating behaviors and lifestyle factors, additional data were also collected via anthropometric measurements and biochemical examinations, including blood tests. Results: A total of 48 (18.4%) of the 261 children were overweight, and 34 (70.8%) had at least one other component of metabolic syndrome. Eating behaviors emerged as significant lifestyle-related risk factors for being overweight or obese. Those who engaged in overeating more than twice per week had three times the risk of being overweight (odds ratio [OR], 3.10, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39 to 6.92), and those who ate rapidly had three times the risk of being overweight (OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.68 to 6.41). Those who had fewer family meals (fewer than 2?3/month) had a nine times higher risk of being overweight than those who had family meals more frequently (at least 1/day) (OR, 9.51; 95% CI, 1.21 to 74.82). Conclusions: This study showed that being overweight or obese during preadolescence is associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome and is related to unhealthy eating behaviors. Thus, weight-control strategies and healthy eating behaviors should be developed early in life to reduce the risk for metabolic syndrome.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.88-95
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• 2016

Purpose: Gestational weight gain and prepregnancy body weight are important factors of childbirth outcomes, which further cause obesity, metabolic diseases, or psychological problems later in women's lives. Changes in diet, westernized lifestyle, traditional postpartum care, and childbirth at older age are thought to be threats to proper weight management in Korean women of reproductive age. Public health and antenatal care need to focus on the proper body weight management of women by carefully planning pregnancy to postpartum periods. Purpose: This study explored the body weight changes from pregnancy to postpartum and the related characteristics in women within 12 months after childbirth. Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted with 102 Korean women within 12 months after childbirth. Data were collected using an online survey system, and a structured questionnaire available for electronic self-administration was modified to include demographics, obstetrical history, and body weight at 6 time points. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Eating Habit Measurement instruments were also used in data collection. A professional survey agency recruited the participants, and data were automatically saved and then analyzed. Results: The average age of the participants was 33.8 years, 48% were housewives and were well-educated. Seventy-two percent of the participants were primiparas and 82% had breastfed their babies. The body mass index (BMI) ranged from 17.3 to 27.8, indicating that 21.5% of the participants were overweight or obese. The mean gestational weight gain was 11.8 kg, and weight loss was apparent during the first 3 months postpartum. The mean decline in weight was 3.4 kg at one year after childbirth. Women wanted to lose 5.6 kg (range: 3~20 kg), however 44% of them reported that they had not engaged in any weight control efforts. Further, 72% of them reported having engaged in a low level of physical activity. Body weight was not associated with women's characteristics, physical activity score, and diet. Conclusion: Women's awareness of gestational weight gain, lifestyle modification, and the risk of prolonged weight retention should be promoted through the antenatal and women's healthcare systems. As pregnancy and childbirth are critical events that affect women's health, integrative education to ensure healthy transition to life after delivery is required.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2019.05a
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• pp.316-318
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• 2019

Recently, healthy life has become an issue in an aging society, and the number of people who have been interested in continuous health care for better life is increasing. In this paper, we implemented a personalized recommendation systm to provide convenient healthcare management for user. The PHR (Personal Health Record) of user could be stored in the server along with health related information such as lifestyle, disease, and physical condition. The users could be classified into similar clusters according to the PHR profile in order to provide healthcare contents to the users who had similar PHR profile. K-Means clustering was applied to generate clusters based on PHR profile and ACDT(Ant Colony Decision Tree) algorithm was used to provide personalised recommendation of health information stored in knowledge base. The app system developed in this paper is useful for users to perform healthcare themselves by providing information on serious diseases and lifestyle habits to be improved according to the clusters classified by PHR profile.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2010

Objectives：Authors hypothesized that bipolar tendency of non-psychiatric person would be associated with stress vulnerability. To test the hypothesis, we compared perceived stress level, Type A Behavioral Pattern (TABP) and unhealthy lifestyle between person with and without bipolar tendency. Methods：The study cohort consisted of 1987 subjects without past and current psychiatric history. In this study, bipolar tendency was determined by MDQ response which requires endorsement of at least 7 of the 13 "yes or no" questions. We compared the scores of Perceived Stress Scale, A/B lifestyle questionnaire, and unhealthy lifestyle(alcohol, smoking, lack of exercise, irregular meal) between MDQ positive and negative respondents. Results：We identified the bipolar tendency group determined by the MDQ positive response were 329 subjects(16.6%). The overall score of the bipolar tendency group was significantly high on the A/B lifestyle questionnaire compared to the non-bipolar tendency group(125.4 vs. 115.9, p<0.001), and the rate of the subjects defined as TABP was also significantly high(41.3% vs. 30.1%, p<0.001). In comparison of subjectively perceived stress level, the bipolar tendency group was observed to be significantly higher than the non-bipolar tendency group (18.5% vs. 16.5%, p<0.001). The bipolar tendency group was significantly higher than the non-bipolar tendency group on the rate of answering：'irregular eating habit' (20.1% vs. 14.3%, p=0.002), '4-or-more-times alcohol intake per week' (29.8% vs. 16.5%, p<0.001), 'currently smoking' (41.9% vs. 23.0%, p<0.001), '2-or-less-times physical exercises per week' (63.2% vs. 55.1%, p=0.007). Conclusion：By clinical diagnosis, even a person who does not meet the criteria of bipolar disorder has a high risk of stress-related behavioral pattern, and perceived stress when possessing bipolar tendencies such as the (hypo) maniac tendency or affective instability. Such individual has significantly higher risk of having unhealthy life-style such as smoking, drinking, irregular eating habit and lack of exercise compared to non-bipolar tendency group. Since these risk factors lead to increase the risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, the individual with the bipolar tendency requires a more effort to manage stress and to maintain healthy lifestyle.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.80-89
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• 2004

This study focused on individual health education for people with hypertension who were being seen in public health centers. The program was an adjusted intervention program that considered the characteristics of each individual and reflected the individual's will to change. Each individual had a different lifestyle with different characteristics and habits so the study considered these individual's characteristics. A comparison was done of knowledge related to hypertension, self-efficacy, and self-care in these individuals. In order to determine the effectiveness of education given by the nurses the variables were measured before and after the individual health education program. The participants in this study were 85 people with hypertension who were seen at a public health center in G city. They were assigned to an experimental group (43) and a control group (42). A tool developed by Park Young-Im (1994) was used to measure knowledge related to hypertension and self-efficacy. A tool developed by Lee Young-Whee (1994) was used for self-care. Data collection was done for 10 weeks from March 24 to May 31, 2003 using interviews with questionnaires. The following is a summary of the results of the study. Hypothesis 1, 'the experimental group which had the individual health education will have higher knowledge scores on hypertension than the control group that did not have the individual health education' was supported (t=4.17, P=0.00). Hypothesis 2, 'the experimental group which had the individual health education will have higher self-efficacy scores than the control group that did not have the individual health education' was supported (t=4.06, P=0.00). Hypothesis 3, 'the experimental group which had the individual health education will have better self-care ability than the control group that did not have the individual health education' was supported (t=4.94, P=0.00). Based on the results of this study, the public health centers should develop an educational program that uses a variety of visual aids and assess the effects of the education on patients with different chronic diseases. After the development of an inclusive education program which will standardize health education effectively and provide a variety of teaching methods, study is needed to measure changes in lifestyle after education and to determine how much knowledge related to hypertension, self-efficacy, and self-care increase

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.611-625
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate dietary behaviors and health-related lifestyles of adult visitors at a public health center in Gyeonggi urban area. A survey using questionnaire was conducted with 949 visitors at Seongnam public health centers from June to August, 2012. The data from 905 respondents were analyzed by gender, consisting of 322 males and 583 females, and age group, consisting of 243 low-age group (LA), 312 middle-age group (MA), 350 high-age group (HA), aged 20 to 30 years, 31 to 50 years, and 51 to 69 years, respectively. Average Body Mass Index was 23.0, which increased with age, and education level was high in LA. 59.0 percent of the subjects had various diseases, and the incidence of hypertension was the highest, followed by allergy, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, joint rheumatism. Incidence rates of chronic disease increased with age, which were lower than those from 2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Weekly drinking frequency rate and smoking rate decreased with age, and exercise performing rate was high at male and HA, which showed the same tendency as KNHANES. Female and HA showed more healthy dietary behaviors such as restricting salt, sugar, oily foods, foods containing food additives, calorie, caring for balanced diet, and referring to nutrition label. Subjects chose stress as the first factor, followed by diet, exercise, etc., among 13 suggested factors which strongly influence on human's life-span. In general, public health center visitors, especially female and HA, showed better dietary behaviors and health-related lifestyles compared with KNHANES.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.161-177
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• 1996

This study attempts to propose a priority of national nutrition targets and strategies for health promotion by the year 2000 in Korea, as a part of the task set for national health promotion objectives and strategies. Among all of the important health issues raised, ten were chosen, nutrition was one priority area. In the first part, the current status of the nutrition-related health problems and risk factors are reviewed, in conjunction with the newly arisen health phenomena, such as changes in prevalence of lifestyle disease and causes of death, changes of food consumption patterns in our country. In the second section this study suggests six feasible national nutrition targets, eight implementing strategies and current major tasks on the basis of the assessment of present status and in consideration of the other health promotion goals and strategies, with reference to that of other developed countries. The main targets and strategies are suggested as follows ; Firstly, the national nutrition monitoring and surveillance system should be established for identifying the nutritional problems for our people, and current National Nutrition Survey is a strong need for improvement to a more comprehensive and reliable one. Secondly, effective administrative mechanism should be operation at national level for the development of nutrition policy. Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) as well as local health department must be remarkably renewed and strengthened the nutrition section. And it is recommended that MOHW organize and operate “The Council of Nutrition”, in which all government authorities related with foodstuffs and nutrition would incorporated. The Council of Nutrition would act as an adjustor as well as a coordinator in nutrition related policy-making. Thirdly, healthy eating pattern will be supported by activities of introducing a nutrition labeling for providing consumers with the necessary information and skills for food selection. Fourthly, nutrition education, and nutrition intervention programs will be carried out in various settings such as health centers, schools, and clinical fields and workplace. Fifthly, the current dietary guidelines shall be continuously improved in detail, and publicly circulated to particular levels of people by age group and by health condition. And finally, researches and epidemiological studies particularly in regard to diet for development of chronic diseases are needed for more investigation and up-to-date national health and nutrition data should be collected with the support and cooperation from the various medical professional teams . (Korean J Community Nutrition 1(2) : 161-177, 1996)

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.121-132
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• 2013

Objective : Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen has been used by East Asian doctors who approved efficient clinical effects of it since the early stage of medical history. It is commonly used for lifestyle related diseases including stroke in recent days thanks to the increasing number of manufacturers. However, products from pharmaceutical companies as well as food companies are not classified as Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen but Bamboo vinegar. This study aims to discern disparate manufacturing process. Methods : In this study, original texts were searched to corroborate the correct method to produce Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen. It is essential to inspect the original texts thoroughly in the course of modernizing traditional knowledge. Result : Discrimination between the two substances starts from manufacturing process; Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen is made under the temperature of less then $170^{\circ}C$, containing mild fragrance and sweet taste, and the Bamboo vinegar over $170^{\circ}C$ upto $400^{\circ}C$, carrying strong smoky scent and acidness. Although some researches show conforming clinical actions of both products, still there is a possibility that closer clinical study would reveal their discrepancy. Conclusion : Current use of Bambusae vinegar needs speculation. Authenticity in proper manufacturing process can be attained through passed-on medical texts.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.153-161
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• 2004

Sa-Sang, one of the Korean traditional medicines, classifies people's constitution into 4 types, which are referred to as Tae-Yang-In, Tae-Eum-In, So-Yang-In and So-Eum-In. The purpose of this study was to examine demographic and dietary factors and to test any significant differences between Sa-Sang constitution and related factors. The participants were 483 college students and the data of 428 students were finally analyzed. Constitution was determined identically through both the questionnaire on Sa-Sang constitution and an inquiry by a Korean traditional medical doctor. Tae-Eum-In showed statistically significant higher BMI and higher smoking frequency. Tae-Eum-In also had significantly higher intakes in iron, potassium, sodium, vitamin B$_1$, niacin, $\beta$-carotene and vitamin E. So-Eum-In had significantly lower intakes in protein, phosphorous, and folate. From this study, we could expect to get some scientific, objective and accurate diet information on the types of constitution. Considering the fact that most chronic degenerative diseases could be developed by any lifestyle factors, it is necessary to conduct educational programs about lifestyles including the dietary habit for maintaining good health. Therefore, it will be better to continue a long-term follow-up study on any chronic degenerative disease based on the types of Sa-Sang constitution in the future. (Korean J Nutrition 37(2): 153 -161, 2004)

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.57-71
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• 2015

This study assessed gender differences of 'solo eating' perceptions and dietary behaviors among college students residing in Seoul and Kyongki province. Two types of questionnaires were used to analyze perception and dietary behaviors of subjects: a cross-sectional survey (N=893) and AGA (Associative Group Analysis; N=50). Women ate significantly more and intook a greater variety of foods when eating together (P<0.05). Men, on the other hand, showed no difference in these variables. Women, compared to men, spent more time eating both alone and together (P<0.001). In the associative group analysis (AGA), women showed a different semantic value for 'solo eating' compared to men. Women also tended to feel lonely when they ate alone and had positive images of eating together. Students began to decide their own dietary behaviors after junior and high school. Dietary lives of Koreans have rapidly changed along with social changes over the past half century. These research findings will contribute to more comprehensive and efficient nutrition education programs for preventing lifestyle-related diseases in the early stage of adulthood.